• DocumentCode
    1122910
  • Title

    Computer memory: abacus to DRAM

  • Author

    Owens, Howard D.

  • Author_Institution
    Motorola Microcomput. Div., Austin, TX, USA
  • Volume
    8
  • Issue
    4
  • fYear
    1989
  • Firstpage
    32
  • Lastpage
    35
  • Abstract
    Basic concepts of the first computer memory, the abacus, and the current DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) are discussed. The abacus was the main memory for the first electronic digital computer, the ABC (Atanasoff-Berry Computer). Built between 1939 and 1942, the ABC was a special-purpose machine designed to solve a system of linear algebraic equations. The similarities and differences between these two computer memories separated by over 30 years are highlighted.<>
  • Keywords
    digital storage; Atanasoff-Berry Computer; DRAM; abacus; computer memory; dynamic random-access memory; electronic digital computer; linear algebraic equations; special-purpose machine; Capacitors; Cathodes; Delay lines; Electron tubes; Equations; Flip-flops; Integrated circuit technology; Inverters; MOSFET circuits; Random access memory;
  • fLanguage
    English
  • Journal_Title
    Potentials, IEEE
  • Publisher
    ieee
  • ISSN
    0278-6648
  • Type

    jour

  • DOI
    10.1109/45.43032
  • Filename
    43032
    • Link To Document
    https://search.isc.ac/dl/search/defaultta.aspx?DTC=49&DC=1122910